Sharjah International Publishers Conference Discusses Foundational Issues In Publishing Industry

The Sharjah International Publishers Conference 2025 has brought together publishers worldwide, setting the stage for the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair. The event's first day featured 31 roundtable workshops led by industry experts, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. These workshops provided a platform to explore regional and niche market dynamics, with a focus on practical strategies for the publishing industry.

One notable workshop focused on Children's Book Publishing in French Languages, moderated by Simon de Jocas from Éditions Les 400 Coups in Montréal. De Jocas highlighted the participation of publishers from Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Congo, and Cameroon. The discussion centred on developing market structures and emphasised metadata, discoverability, and unity as key elements for modern publishing success.

Dr. Mohammed Ayesh from Al Fikr Al Jadeed Publishing House in Jordan hosted another workshop titled "Factors That Make the Printed Book Irreplaceable." He stressed that print's appeal lies not just in its narrative but also in its design and presentation. Dr. Ayesh compared this to scientific research, where clarity and precision enhance understanding.

Mette Caserta of Fioranello Publishing in Denmark led a session on building a publishing house in a streaming-only economy. Caserta shared Denmark’s journey from having just 20 audiobooks to a market where streaming dominates half of the publishing landscape. Her insights into AI's role in reducing operational costs resonated with attendees, offering actionable strategies for leaner operations.

Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Furaih from Obeikan Research, Publishing and Translation in Saudi Arabia discussed the book production process before reaching bookstores. He explained that over fifty individuals contribute to creating a single book, highlighting distribution as a common bottleneck. His workshop encouraged innovative thinking by adapting strategies from other industries to address these challenges.

Building Global Partnerships

Wedha Stratesti of Gramedia International led a workshop on collaborating with Indonesian publishers. She emphasised the importance of initial research to identify thematic alignments with potential partners' catalogs. Stratesti advised international publishers to approach those whose publications fit their interests and then determine appropriate contacts for communication.

The conference underscored practical strategies for navigating both print and digital landscapes in publishing. Workshops facilitated discussions on diverse topics such as children's books, digital transitions, distribution challenges, and international collaborations. These sessions provided valuable insights into overcoming industry hurdles through innovation and strategic partnerships.

With inputs from WAM